The nation's decisive action to prohibit social networking access for those under 16 is creating waves worldwide. Officials, child protection groups, and parents are watching intently to see if this tactic will become a template for other nations.
European Momentum
In Europe, a rising number of countries are exploring parallel restrictions.
- The Danish government has announced a restriction on social media for children under fifteen, with the prime minister arguing that phones and networks are "stealing our youngsters' innocence". A law may be formalized in the coming year.
- The Norwegian government is preparing to introduce a access barrier of 15, citing the need to protect children from the "influence of the recommendation systems".
- The Irish government is developing a online verification tool to verify the identity and age of social media users. Officials have stated that an Australia-style ban could be "a potential measures under consideration".
- In Spain, the prime minister has urged lawmakers to enact a law lifting the access age for using social media to 16.
- In France, the leader has threatened a ban for those under fifteen, and a government panel has suggested a similar step, alongside an overnight "digital curfew" for adolescents.
- The administration in The Netherlands has recommended parents to block their youngsters from social media until 15.
Across the European Union, the bloc's legislature has adopted a symbolic statement supporting a ban for minors unless a parent decides otherwise is provided. Although it cautions of the "compulsive" design of these services, the step does not create binding law.
"An effective age restriction is a solid first step," commented the MEP behind the measure.
Britain: An Evidence-Based Stance
In the UK, the leadership has not ruled out a potential ban, arguing that "no measure is discarded" but maintaining any action must be "based on strong evidence".
Previously, momentum gathered behind a legislative effort to impose controls on social media use by teenagers, but it was ultimately modified. However, the government pledged to conduct more studies the issue.
Advocacy groups have voiced concerns. One foundation set up by the loved ones of a young person who died after encountering dangerous social media material suggests that a blanket age ban may not make platforms safer and could lead to a "sudden drop-off" of risk when teens reach the legal age.
"Australia's ban is a response to the refusal of the Silicon Valley to create products and services that are appropriate and age appropriate for children," commented a prominent child protection advocate.
The US: A Fragmented Landscape
Stateside, action is mostly unfolding at the local government level due to country-wide gridlock.
- Utah mandates adult approval for under-18s to use social media and controls nighttime use.
- Florida has passed a bill prohibiting under-14s from creating accounts on social media, though it is subject to court battles.
- Virginia has passed a law restricting minors to one hour of social media use per day, with extra use requiring a guardian's okay.
- The state of Georgia, Tennessee, and The state of Louisiana have also passed measures requiring guardian approval for teenagers to set up social media profiles.
Even with cross-party agreement and calls from various figures to copy the Australian example, a US-wide ban is right now seen as unlikely.
Global Outlook
Outside of the West, additional nations are also taking action.
- Malaysia intends to prohibit social media for those under sixteen starting from next year.
- Brazil has lifted the minimum age for Instagram to 16.
But, global organizations strike a more measured tone. Unicef has cautioned that age-based restrictions pose dangers and "may even prove counterproductive". The organization highlights that online platforms can be a "lifeline" for isolated youth and that government action should not be a "substitute" for tech companies to improve child safeguards.
As this worldwide debate evolves, the steps of Australia and several other countries indicate that policymakers globally are increasingly content to delay for platforms to make changes on their own.
